The Santa Cruz Police Department had never lost an officer in the line of duty.

The detectives had been investigating a sexual assault case at an apartment on Branciforte Drive near Doyle Street at 3:30 p.m. They went there to question Jeremy Peter Goulet, 35, of Santa Cruz.

Baker and Butler died outside the apartment while radioing for help.

Sheriff's deputies were supposed to take over the perimeter and manhunt for Goulet because two SCPD officers had just been killed. But Wowak said SCPD officers refused to leave their posts because they wanted to find the person who had just killed their colleague.

Those SCPD officers and deputies unleashed a hail of bullets on Goulet when they found him at 4 p.m. Goulet shot back at the officers who were chasing him down Doyle Street before he was killed, Wowak said.

Wowak credited the SCPD officers who refused to leave with catching the suspect before he escaped the area.

Three schools were placed on lockdown during the manhunt and the entire neighborhood was evacuated. Residents were allowed to return to their homes after 10 p.m.

Wowak said it will take weeks for investigators to figure out why the gunman opened fire on detectives.

Goulet was arrested Friday at his apartment at 822 Branciforte Dr. for disorderly conduct. He had a history of sex crimes in Oregon and served more than a year in jail after he was convicted of spying on young women and videotaping them.

At Tuesday night's press conference, Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant, Wowak, Vogel, and former longtime SCPD spokesman Zach Friend held back tears and were emotional while talking about what happened.

"Tonight we are heartbroken at the loss of two of our finest police officers who were killed in the line of duty, protecting the community we love. This is an exceptionally shocking and sad day for Santa Cruz," the mayor said.

A memorial of candles and flowers grew throughout the night outside the Santa Cruz Police Station. One card at the memorial read, "We Love You Santa Cruz Police."

The detectives were also mourned by law enforcement agencies across the Central Coast.

"These brave officers responded and reacted to make their community safer and gave their lives in the process," the Hollister Police Department wrote on its Facebook page.

Santa Cruz heroes: Butch Baker and Elizabeth Butler

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SCPD

Sgt. Butch Baker and Det. Elizabeth Butler were the first Santa Cruz Police Department officers to be killed in the line of duty.